When an undead motorcycle gang attacks Denver’s sorcerers, only one person can decipher the cryptic clues left behind—Dru Jasper, proprietor of the Crystal Connection and newly minted sorceress.

Though Dru has learned how to harness the powers of her crystals, she’s in over her head. A necromancer is using forbidden sorcery to fulfill the prophecy of the apocalypse and bring about the end of the world.

Dru’s only chance to stop him requires tracking down her would-be boyfriend, hot rod mechanic and half-demon Greyson. Everyone thinks he’s dead, but Dru believes he’s still alive, and finding him is the key to unraveling this evil.

To learn the truth behind the necromancer’s attacks, Dru must team up with her friends, and maybe even an enemy or two. Only Rane’s brawn, Opal’s wisdom, and Salem’s spells can help her infiltrate the necromancer’s hidden lair, stop the prophecy, and save the world. But they need to do it fast before legions of the undead rise to consume the souls of everyone on earth. .

A Kiss Before Doomsday, by author Laurence MacNaughton, is the second installment in the authors Dru Jasper series. For those new to this series, I eagerly recommend that you start by reading It Happened One Doomsday. Why you ask? Because AKBD begins right where IHOD left off. Dru is struggling to regain her mojo after her job was destroyed in the last installment. She is also wondering whether or not Greyson survived their trip to the Netherworld where they (Dru, Rane, & Greyson) temporarily put a hold on the Apocalypse.

Unfortunately, things have not gone back to normal in Denver. Sorcerers are missing. The Apocalypse scrolls haven't been found, and creatures shooting webs from their hands are capturing people. The plague of undead walking the streets gives Dru the idea that someone is pushing ahead with the original seven harbingers idea of cleansing the world and beginning all over again. But, who is to blame? Dru and her crew, which now includes Opal, attempts to uncover the newest villains devious plot. Will they be successful?

Let me reintroduce you to the characters in this series.

Dru Jasper is the bookish owner of The Crystal Connection. It is a sorcery shop that sells potions, charms, and enchanted crystals. Real sorcerers haven't given her any respect over the years, but her shop is the first place they run to when they need help. Dru has had a rough time lately. She lost any hope of a normal life when Greyson showed up and rocked her world. Now, the one person who has the ability to make her powers even stronger than they are is missing, and the fate of the world is still hanging in the balance thanks to yet another megalomaniac.

Greyson and his 1969 Dodge Charger called Hellbringer are the next characters you should know about. Both Greyson and his car are possessed. Greyson by what we've learned is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I've taken to call Hellbringer the reincarnation of Steven King's Christine. Greyson was last seen at the end of AKBD in a bad way, but we've not see the last of the street-smart mechanic who has the ability to make Dru even stronger and her heart flutter.

The third character we've already met. Her name is Rane. She calls herself Dru's best friend. She's a sorcerer who has the ability to transform into rock or mental just by touching it. She is a loose cannon at times, and she has a sarcastic attitude that matches mine which means I love this woman. Rane has some romantic issue's this time out. Nothing a good punch in the nose won't fix.

Our fourth character didn't participate much in the previous installment, but she does in this one. Opal is Dru's business partner and one who keeps Dru focuses. She has no magic of her own, but she can find and research anything quickly which saves Dru tons of time. Opal's wicked fashion sense got a huge giggle out of me when she, Dru, and Rane attend a strange costume party that has lured sorcerers in from all over Denver. Have to give the author credit. Opal's presence was a really good addition to the story.

The last character worth mentioning is Salem. Salem and Rane have a history. A history that is like a rollercoaster from hell that just can't stop entertaining. Salem is quite possibly the most powerful sorcerer in Colorado, and has a tendency to treat Dru like dog crap, to be honest. Which brings us to his conflict of egos after discovering that Dru isn't a pushover, but someone that needs to be respected. Can Salem put his personality on hold for a moment to help Dru save the world?

I really have no squabbles with this installment. I adore the quirky characters. I love the action, and suspense. I do have high hopes that a third installment will be forthcoming soon.

About

Hi, I'm Shelley, an avid book reader from Florida by way of New York. I read and review books of MOST GENRE's for my own personal gratification and don't mind if people disagree with my assessment as long as they respect me.
I love receiving book recommendations from my friends, and authors, and appreciate when I'm lucky enough to receive an ARC before release. I consider myself lucky enough that people actually stop by and read my reviews.